Mazda Koeru concept heading for production
If these spy photos are anything to go by, the Mazda Koeru concept car seems as though it's heading into production.
Taken at a cargo handling facility in China, the photos you see here were first published by Auto Sina.
Although the Koeru concept only just had its official debut earlier this month at the 2015 Frankfurt motor show, the Chinese website believes that development has been under way since 2013.
The production version of the Koeru sits atop Mazda's SkyActiv platform and uses the same 2700mm wheelbase as the CX-5. For made in China models, the Koeru will use company's 2.0- and 2.5-litre naturally aspirated SkyActiv four-cylinder engines.
Styling has been toned down from the Koeru concept, with more production-ready headlights, wing mirrors and door handles. Wheel sizes have been shrunk too, apparently, with 17- to 19-inch rims replacing the 21-inch units displayed on the concept car.
On the inside, the prototype model pictured here has a two-tone colour scheme and a variation of the Mazda's dashboard design, complete with a free standing infotainment screen.
The Chinese website, amongst others, believes that the production version of the Koeru will be badged as the CX-4. Although given the car's extra length, and the Chinese and Japanese aversion of the number four (it sounds eerily similar to the word for death), the CX-7 moniker may be more appropriate.
It's understood that the production version of Koeru will make its debut at the Guangzhou motor show in November. Production will then begin in March 2016 at a facility operated by FAW and Mazda.
In China, the FAW-Mazda CX-4 (or, possibly, CX-7) will compete with the CX-5 that's made by Mazda's other joint venture partner, Changan. It's not known at this stage whether the Koeru will be sold in other markets.
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